“I loved that car,” the owner said Friday, a day after two men accused of burglarizing his home and two San Diego houses were arraigned in Superior Court.

He asked that U-T San Diego not publish his name because authorities believe there are outstanding suspects who were part of the burglary ring.

The owner said he bought the car in 2004 for about $150,000. He wanted one in part because of its historic ties to the legendary Ford GT40, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race four times in a row, making it “a Ford icon,” he said.

His dark blue-and-white striped car could go from 80 mph to 120 mph in seconds with its supercharged 5-4 liter engine. Only 4,038 of the Ford GT models were made in model years 2005 and 2006.

The car was stolen in late June or early July when the owner wasn’t home. He said he didn’t know it was gone until detectives came to see him.

“They had a piece of the car with the VIN on it,” he said.

The Ford was found dismantled in a Vista warehouse, its frame hacked into pieces. The engine and other parts were found in a San Marcos storage unit.

Gabriel Castano, 30, and George Moore, 48, were arrested Monday in Carmel Valley in the burglary of the Rancho Santa Fe home. They also are accused of two other heists at houses in La Jolla and University City. Hundreds of items were taken in the three burglaries, including two Porsches, jewelry and artwork worth between $500,000 and $1 million, police said.

Although the Ford GT’s owner said the car is irreplaceable, he was more bothered that thieves broke into his house and stole personal items that had sentimental value.

The burglary left him feeling violated, and made his neighbors nervous, he said. He was thankful that his family wasn’t home when it occurred and that no one was hurt.

“It could have been a lot worse,” he said.

He praises San Diego police Detectives Tim Coyle and Joseph Durand who kept him informed about their progress in the investigation. “Those guys did a great job,” he said.

When Castano and Moore were arraigned Thursday, they pleaded not guilty to 11 counts, including owning and operating a chop shop, auto theft, grand theft and receiving stolen property. Both remain in jail.

If convicted, Castano could be sentenced to up to nine years and eight months in prison. Moore, who has a prior conviction, could face a 13-year sentence if convicted.